Sonya Brunner Ms. Ward English 11 10 May 2024 Our Town Paper First Draft King David once observed that “man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow” (Psalm 144:4). This is an important truth to remember while living in the midst of a world so easily swayed by the passing “knowledge” found in the present trends and times. Sinful mankind remains constantly mesmerized by the newest glamor, which often clouds a Christian’s vision towards heaven as well. Jesus warns His believers against this folly in His High Priestly Prayer, knowing that Christians are “in the world.not of the world, just as I [Jesus] am not of the world” (John 17:13,16). With this wisdom, my daily decisions should be influenced by what Christ has done for me. My …show more content…
Another instance of a theology of glory in Our Town is found in George’s behavior as a teenager in high school. Many peers view him as “awfully conceited and stuck-up” (63), unable to care about others while worrying about his own reputation. In order to mature and thrive in the future, George needs to learn to serve others. Jesus knew this truth when He commanded, “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39). Just as Jesus dedicated His whole purpose on earth to saving us sinners, we can know our purpose in life–to reflect His love for others. George learns to grow beyond a theology of glory through making mistakes regarding his conceited mindset. After reflecting on the philosophies of the fictional characters in the novel Our Town, I am led to compare their behaviors to my own. Just as those people twist the truth in their own eyes, I often do the same, confusing my own desires with God’s will. When attempting to follow individual plans, anxiety and a total-control mindset take …show more content…
Christ’s love is what drives me to encourage others in the midst of challenges. As my routine known as living continues (just like for the generations of people in Our Town), I can look to God’s Word and seek support from the Church, which is the community of believers. Although a confusion of doctrine and selfishness is evident in the characters’ theology of glory, Christian values and speaking the truth also conveys the care that the people have for each other as theologians of the cross. Just as a community is made up of more than population statistics and groups, so is my faith. According to the book of James, “Faith apart from works is dead” (James 2:26). This passage explains that faith produces good works, and growing faith produces a stronger relationship with God. Through the passage of time, experience is gained, and so is my ability to live in a way that exemplifies the theology of the cross. My choices in life affect not only my own story, but also others’. This is why Jesus commands us to love our neighbor as ourselves in the Great Commandment–a Christian’s life should reflect Jesus’ light in this dark, sin-filled world.
Engagement with others is the most fertile ground for spiritual growth. Yet, salvation cannot come through individual questing nor good works in the community of the world alone. Salvation can only come when the journey and the work become
Bonhoeffer’s writing concerning community in Life Together sheds a great deal of light and marks boundaries for Christians on how to relate with each other. It is of utmost importance to remember that community is nothing but a gracious gift of God. When this understanding is grasped, love flows between brothers and sisters under the guidance of the Spirit and life is lived in the freedom of redemption and under the Word and “fruits that grow healthily in accord God’s good will in the rain and storm and sunshine of God’s outdoors” (37) will grow. Finally, it is always a good reminder, in the words of Bonhoeffer; “we are bound together by faith, not by experience” (39) so let us love and live through faith in the redeeming work of our Lord
As we have looked in to the Christian worldview of God, our humanity, the Son of God, and the restoration of our lives back into God’s purpose. Now we have a better understanding of what it means to be a member of the Christian community. God wants believers to dwell in union and in community having the same mind that is in Jesus Christ (Phil 2:1-11). This paper showed how God and Jesus Christ are at the fundamental core of all Christian beliefs regardless of the countless differences many Christians may
Recognizing God is a part of our vocation within community can be confusing for us, how can we serve God in the different venues of our life when the world teaches such differing views? We are encouraged to share our witness, testimony, and service within our families, workplace, and our social settings. Family includes the household within our life touching upon each role parent, child, and spouse. It becomes acceptable to compartmentalize the areas of our life and serve in comfortable areas. Consumerism and societal pressures challenge us to withdraw from the Spirit when we feel intimidated, out of place, or even unworthy of God’s involvement in our life. We are called to be “the salt of the earth”, accepting the challenge to unite God’s calling upon our whole-life. According to Migliore, “United in Christ by the power of the Spirit we are one community; we are members of one body and mutually dependent on one another. Recognizing God works with all areas of community unites families, workplace, and social settings together.
As Christians it is our responsibility to live our lives in accordance with God’s will. Sharing the good news of God’s kingdom is imperative not only for our salvation, but that of many. If we don’t hear the gospel, we do not have an opportunity to embrace it. Additionally we cannot distort the message otherwise we diminish ...
Many people believe that today’s Christians are too sheltered and oblivious to the real world around them. When asked, many outsiders compared today’s Christians to “The Titanic - a ship about to sink, but unaware of its fate” or “a hobby that diverts people’s attention” (Kinnaman 120). It is important Christians to not just stay secluded in one group (church group), but to be talking to others (outsiders) so we are aware of the problems and thing that are going on in the world around us. As Christians we are called to be disciples of Jesus by reaching out to those in need, praying for those around us, and calling people to become the church. In “Unchristian” David Kinnaman outlines three main things we as Christians should include in our lives: accepting responsibility, not being fearful, helping the desperate, being prepared, and keeping a balance.
Tanner, Emily. "Western New York Catholic." News-Youth. N.p., 28 Nov 2012. Web. 1 Dec 2013.
BibleGateway.com -. Web. The Web. The Web. 14 Mar. 2014.
...hat share my faith and together worship Jesus. I believe that by being in fellowship with other believers I will have a strong opportunity to pursue and fulfill God’s purpose in my life, whether it is a daily or lifetime calling.
“First, there is the call to be a Christian. Second, for each individual there is a specific call—a defining purpose or mission, a reason for being. Every individual is called of God to respond through service in the world. Third, there is the call that we face each day in response to the multiple demands on our lives—our immediate duties and responsibilities” (Smith, ...
Crow, Mandy, ed. Ecmagazine. essential connection / lifeway christian resources, 24 June 2011. Web. 3 Nov. 2013. .
“Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.” There are so many other verses in scripture that talk about good works and the rewards given according to works, but the bottom line is, good works are vital to the Christian life for many reasons.
...have begun the process of becoming a better person. Those who practice Christianity boast of having higher levels of joy and happiness in life no matter what circumstances they may be facing. “A person that is truly Christian, one who studies, practices and teaches the Gospel of Jesus Christ on a regular basis, has a fullness of joy regardless the difficult adversities that they may face in their life”(Smith). To help guide many people of the world in finding joy and happiness associated with becoming a christian, churches have worked hard to make it their top priority to “Strive to be an "open-door" church, actively reaching out and welcoming all persons”(NBUMC).
As I sit and reflect over my life, I ask myself where have I come from, where might I currently be, and what does the future hold for me according to my faith formation. This was a time for me to weigh the progress of my formation that happened over the years and to see the influential players who made it possible. Within this essay I will use two of James Fowler’s stages of faith to evaluate my own life and be able to see that through these stages I can be able to help develop others faith as well. It is through these stages that have shaped my life into becoming the faithful person that I am today.
Paul tells us to “fight the good fight of faith” (Tim. 6:12). We must not hold on to unbelief. When we give ourselve...